Industry Update: Scottish Agritourism Seeks New Board Members Ahead of Hosting Global Conference
Scottish Agritourism, the sector body representing agritourism in Scotland, is boosting capabilities ahead of hosting the inaugural Global Agritourism Conference in Scotland next year by recruiting additional directors for their voluntary, skills-based board.
Scottish Agritourism is recognised by global peers as one of the most dynamic agritourism movements in the world. The organisation’s Board of Directors will be at the heart of hosting global agritourism leaders and businesses in Scotland in 2026. Scottish Agritourism’s success in winning an international bid to host the Global Agritourism Conference 2026 was announced in Bolzano, Italy, last year. 1000 delegates are expected to attend the conference which will take place over three days at the P&J Live, Aberdeen, 23-25th June. Included in the 1000 will be 300 regular attendees of Scotland’s annual agritourism sector conference along with delegates from the rest of the UK and every continent of the globe.
Scottish Agritourism’s current Board of seven is chaired by Riddell Graham, former Visit Scotland Director of Industry. The skills-based board currently consists of Fiona Campbell, Chief Executive, Association of Scotland’s Self Caterers; Jo McNicoll, Drift, North Berwick; Caroline Millar, Scottish Agritourism Sector Lead; Julian Pace, Retired Scottish Enterprise Head of Rural; Lindsay Robertson, Long Island Retreats & Larder, Uist, and Katie Waugh, Skaill House, Orkney.
The group is responsible for governance of the organisation, offering strategic direction and guidance to the executive team and providing direction for future strategy. In particular individuals with skills and experience in governance, finance, human resources and legal are sought. As part of an overall succession plan, Scottish Agritourism will also be appointing a Vice Chair in preparation for Riddell Graham standing down after his term comes to an end in late 2026. The Scottish Agritourism Board meet a total of nine times throughout the year with three in person meetings and six online. Members of the Board also attend the Scottish Agritourism Conference in November.
Scottish Agritourism Sector Lead, Caroline Millar, said: “Scottish Agritourism is five years old on the 1st of June this year and we are playing a key role in shaping tourism and agriculture in Scotland, working with over three hundred member businesses with exciting growth plans for the next five years. With the Global Agritourism Conference on the horizon, this is a very exciting time to be a part of Scotland’s agritourism sector. We are looking for new directors who can strengthen our governance capabilities and make the most of opportunities in the next eighteen months.”
Riddell Graham, added: “New Scottish Agritourism Directors will be joining a positive board with a ‘can do’ culture, will have the opportunity to learn more about Scotland’s agritourism sector and to be part of a tight knit and passionate network in Scotland’s rural economy.”
Further information and a route to applications can be found on the Scottish Agritourism website www.scottishagritourism.co.uk
[Photo information Scottish Agritourism Board Members with members of the network at a Scottish Agritourism business breakfast in 2024]
